NHER 53343 (Monument record) - Cropmarks of a rectangular enclosure and associated ditches and field boundaries of unknown but possible Iron Age date

Some of these cropmarks were previously recorded under NHER 5092.

March 2009. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of a rectangular enclosure and associated fields of unknown, but possibly Iron Age to Roman date, is visible on aerial photographs (S1-S4) to the south of the Roman road (NHER 30288) running from Caistor Roman town towards Stoke Holy Cross. The site is centred on TG 2486 0243. The enclosure is located at TG 2484 0238 and measures 44m by 35m. The southern arm of the enclosure ditch is not visible. A series of fragmentary ditches and enclosed areas to the north, centred on TG 2476 0249 and TG 2496 0242, which a broadly similar alignment to the enclosure are likely to represent contemporary fields and boundaries. It seems likely that these cropmarks indicate the presence of a small farmstead of possible Iron Age to Roman date. Roman date finds have been recovered from general vicinity of the cropmarks (NHER 5092 & 41093) and the site is located approximately 575m to the north of the Stoke Holy Cross villa complex (NHER 9732 & 43199). This enclosure and the associated boundary ditches are clearly earlier or later than the phase of fields and boundaries to either side (NHER 52322) interpreted as being broadly contemporary with the Roman road to the immediate north (NHER 30288). An Iron Age date or later Roman date could therefore be suggested for this site.
S. Horlock (NMP), 23 March 2009.